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CARPD Communicator April 2025

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Dear Members,As we prepare our communities for the busyseason, I want to take a moment to thank you foryour hard work and dedication. Parks are anessential part of our communities—places wherefamilies gather to celebrate, teams come togetherto play, and we all find space to enjoy the outdoors.Without your efforts, these vital spaces wouldn’t bethe same. Our industry is essential, and so are you.I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at thisyear’s conference in San Diego. Beyond thebreathtaking views, the board has put together anoutstanding program, and I know it will be anenriching experience for all.Serving as President has been an incredibleexperience. I have learned so much from mycolleagues on the board and from each of you,whom I have had the pleasure of meeting over theyears. Thank you for your commitment and passion—I am proud to be part of such a dedicatedorganization.See you soon!Best,Brian Danzl Cordova Recreation and Park DistrictPresident, CARPDPresident’sMessageCODE GREEN -Call to ActionQuimby ActExplained2025 CARPDConference &ScholarshipWinnersLegislativeUpdateCARPD BoardCapitol Visit2025CARPD BoardElectionCARPDCommunicatorInside this Issue:P R E S I D E N T - B R I A N D A N Z LA P R I L 2 0 2 51President’s Message Message

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CARPD - Call to ActionHello CARPD Members & Friends:Your immediate action is critical to protect the future of California parks andrecreation.As you may know, SB 315 (Grayson) poses a significant threat to the way ourparks are built and maintained-- threatening to fundamentally changedecades of policy and deprive our communities of healthy and thriving parksystems while also potentially costing our Districts millions of dollars. This billis scheduled to be heard before the Senate Local Government Committee onApril 23rd, and CARPD is leading the opposition to this proposed legislation.Opposition letters are due by April 17th, leaving us with very little time tomake our voices heard. This is a CODE GREEN situation – our parks are in peril, and we need everyCARPD member to join this cause. Download the template opposition letterand email your signed copy to mduarte@capri-jpa.gov by 5:00pm on April16th. You can find a sample opposition letter as well as CARPD's recent letterto the author on our website at caparkdistricts.org.Your participation in these opposition efforts are vital and the future of ourparks depends upon our joint action. We look forward to your activeparticipation in this critical effort. Together, we can protect our parks.Thanks,Matthew DuarteCARPD Executive DirectorAPRIL 20252CODE GREENCODE GREENCALL TO ACTIONCALL TO ACTION

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A P R I L 2 0 2 5Quimby Act Explained - A Key Tool to Park Development3

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2025 CARPD Conference Scholarship WinnersCongratulations to our Conference Scholarship Winners! We will see you in San Diego! Dianna Harris, Arcade Creek Recreation & Park District Sarah Kinder, Lake Cuyamaca Recreation & Park District Megan Lucas, Buttonwillow Recreation & Park District APRIL 20254CARPD Conference 2025May 21 - May 24, 2025Check out the updated schedule with speakers andsessions for the annual event!www.caparkdistricts.org

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CARPD Capitol Visit 2025In recent years, the CARPD Board of Directors has strived to increase theorganization’s presence and amplify our members’ voices in Sacramento. Andfor the third year in a row, the Board had another successful day at the Capitol!On March 12, 2025, CARPD Board Members spent the day meeting with severallegislators and legislative staff including Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, Chairof the Assembly Committee on Local Government; Assemblymember DianePapan, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, & Wildlife, andChristian Griffith, Chief Consultant, Assembly Committee on Budget, andKatharine Moore, Chief Consultant for the Senate Natural Resources and WaterCommittee, among others. CARPD Board Members were able to meet at the legislators' offices to discuss anumber of important issues affecting Recreation and Park Districts includingbills involving the Quimby Act and Brown Act. Thank you to each of our CARPDBoard Members for your participation in each meet and greet. And, a big thankyou to our Legislative Advocates, Dane Hutchings and Ethan Nagler of CPPG, foryour hard work in scheduling the meetings and making sure our BoardMembers were prepared for these important discussions. APRIL 20255

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Legislative UpdateBy Dane HutchingsCalifornia Public Policy GroupLegislature Session in Full Swing: The 2025 legislative session is in full swing with hundredsof bills being referred to their respective policy committees. Committee hearings are wellunderway with stacked agendas and will continue to increase in frequency until early Juneas the Legislature hits several deadlines. The deadline for bills tagged as fiscal to be referredout of Appropriations committees is May 23. From there, all bills must be passed by theirhouse of origin by June 6 to be sent to the opposite house (i.e., all Senate Bills must advanceto the Assembly and vice versa). Additionally, all “spot” bills had to be amended by the end ofMarch to include substantive language. This resulted in an influx of new bills throughout themonth and therefore what CPPG is tracking for you, including as priority, continues toevolve. The Legislature will adjourn for Spring Recess on April 10 and return on April 21.The Legislature also conducted several informational and oversight hearings of interest inMarch. These are when the Legislature invites subject matter experts and stakeholders in apolicy area to each give several minutes of panel testimony to a committee. They are held sothat the Legislature can gather information on a specific policy so that they are better ableto consider any connected legislation, usually in relation to a recent major event or policyaction. No votes are taken during informational or oversight hearings.Permitting Reform Legislation Package: On March 27, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) issued a press release announcing that she was leading a bipartisan permittingreform legislation package. The bill package contains more than 20 bills “aimed at makinghousing more affordable by slashing red tape, removing uncertainty, and drasticallydiminishing the time it takes to get new housing approved and built.” The press release alsostated, “The package targets the five key bottlenecks that delay housing development:application, CEQA compliance, entitlement, post-entitlement, and enforcement. Byaddressing inefficiencies at every step, lawmakers aim to reduce project timelines, cut costs,and get shovels in the ground faster.”Brown Act Informational Hearing: On March 19, the Senate Local Government Committee held an informational hearing on theBrown Act exploring ways to improve public access, participation, and transparency in localgovernment meetings. Discussions highlighted the benefits of remote participation inincreasing engagement, particularly for seniors, people with disabilities, and those withlimited access to in-person meetings, while also addressing concerns about the financialburden on local governments. Panelists shared successful hybrid meeting models andemphasized the need for regional collaboration to share resources and best practices.Committee members expressed interest in pursuing legislative updates to ensure equitableparticipation and enhanced transparency in local governance.While industry representatives argued that COLR obligations are outdated in a statewhere 70% of residents are wireless-only, the PAO stressed the importance ofmaintaining affordable and reliable services for underserved communities. TheCPUC highlighted its commitment to protecting public safety and ensuringequitable access to communication services, particularly in rural areas and tribalregions. Legislators raised concerns about emergency preparedness, service quality,and consumer protections in the absence of COLR obligations. As the CPUCcontinues its rulemaking process, including public hearings and workshops, it wasemphasized that the focus will remain on balancing the modernization oftelecommunications infrastructure with the responsibility to serve all Californians,ensuring that no communities are left behind.APRIL 20256

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CARPD Board Election - May 22ndAs we do every year during the CARPD General Membership Meeting, the CARPD Board of DirectorsElection is scheduled to take place on May 22, 2025 at the Conference in the Paradise Point Resort &Spa in San Diego, California. In accordance with CARPD Bylaws, Member Districts with qualifiedcandidates interested in serving on the Board of Directors are invited to submit nominees for theballot by Friday May 9, 2025. If you have questions about the Board or the nomination process, please contact Matthew Duarte atmduarte@capri-jpa.gov.Furthermore, pursuant to CARPD Association Bylaws at Article 5, subsection 6, the CARPDNominations Committee has submitted the following slate of candidates for the open positions:2025 Slate of Candidates for CARPD BoardPresident – Elect Jesus Perez, Bear Mountain Recreation & Park DistrictSecretaryDoug Nickles, Conejo Recreation & Park DistrictDirector at Large (Odd Year) Jan Bissell, Valley-Wide Recreation & Park DistrictMichael Seaman, Fulton-El Camino Recreation & Park DistrictAdministrator Rep (Odd Year):Mat Fuzie, Livermore Area Recreation & Park DistrictCSDA Legislative Days - May 20th-21stAPRIL 20257You are Cordially Invited to Special Districts Legislative DaysMay 20 and 21 at the Sheraton Grand SacramentoRegister HereWith about 30 percent of the State Legislature turning over in the 2024 General Election, this year’sSpecial Districts Legislative Days is a must-attend event where special districts will come together toeducate our newly-elected lawmakers on special districts and the communities and constituents wemutually serve. CARPD is a proud Partner of Special Districts Legislative Days where recreation and park districtscan work with our fellow special districts on issues that matter to all of us as we work together onshared priorities, including:·Revenue·Governance·Labor·Public Works·Natural ResourcesRegister on or before April 23 for an Early Bird Discount!

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Thank youCARPD Sponsors!CARPD SponsorsA P R I L 2 0 2 5CARPD Sponsors are integral to ensuring our member agencies areable to network and learn at our CARPD Annual Conference. We thank them for their generous support over the years! 8

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Thank youCARPD Sponsors!CARPD SponsorsA P R I L 2 0 2 5CARPD Sponsors are integral to ensuring our member agencies areable to network and learn at our CARPD Annual Conference. We thank them for their generous support over the years! 9

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Thank youCARPD Sponsors!CARPD SponsorsA P R I L 2 0 2 5CARPD Sponsors are integral to ensuring our member agencies areable to network and learn at our CARPD Annual Conference. We thank them for their generous support over the years! 12

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Thank youCARPD Sponsors!CARPD SponsorsA P R I L 2 0 2 5CARPD Sponsors are integral to ensuring our member agencies areable to network and learn at our CARPD Annual Conference. We thank them for their generous support over the years! 13

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Thank youCARPD Sponsors!CARPD SponsorsA P R I L 2 0 2 5CARPD Sponsors are integral to ensuring our member agencies areable to network and learn at our CARPD Annual Conference. We thank them for their generous support over the years! 14

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Thank youCARPD Sponsors!CARPD SponsorsA P R I L 2 0 2 5CARPD Sponsors are integral to ensuring our member agencies areable to network and learn at our CARPD Annual Conference. We thank them for their generous support over the years! 15

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Thank youCARPD Sponsors!CARPD SponsorsA P R I L 2 0 2 5CARPD Sponsors are integral to ensuring our member agencies areable to network and learn at our CARPD Annual Conference. We thank them for their generous support over the years! 16

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Thank youCARPD Sponsors!CARPD SponsorsA P R I L 2 0 2 5CARPD Sponsors are integral to ensuring our member agencies areable to network and learn at our CARPD Annual Conference. We thank them for their generous support over the years! 17

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CARPD Board of DirectorsThe CARPD Board of Directors consists of eleven elected representatives of theCARPD Membership. In these volunteer positions, the Board provides policydirection for the organization in order to fulfill its mission to advocate, educate,and support California’s recreation and park districts. Thank you to all, past andpresent, that have served our organization!Directors:Michael SeamanJesus G. PerezDennis WaespiMathew FuzieRick SloanMichelle LacyPresident:Brian Danzl President-Elect:Dean Wetter Past President:Doug NicklesSecretary:Nick SchoutenCFO:Al McGreehanAPRIL 202528Pictured (left to right) Board Member Rick Sloan, President Brian Danzl, Past President Doug Nickles, Board Member Dennis Waespi, SecretaryNick Schouten, President Elect Dean Wetter, Board Member Jesus Perez, Board Member Michael Seaman and Administrator Michelle Lacy. (Missing from photo: CFO Al McGreehan and Board Member Mathew Fuzie)